Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Stock Holdings Lifted by William Blair Investment Management LLC

William Blair Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 0.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,436,404 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 6,685 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises approximately 1.8% of William Blair Investment Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 7th largest position. William Blair Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.16% of Mastercard worth $756,367,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MA. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $522,000. Curio Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 15.8% during the fourth quarter. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC now owns 308 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $162,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Provident Co of the Employees of the Hebrew University LTD grew its position in Mastercard by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Provident Co of the Employees of the Hebrew University LTD now owns 4,045 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,128,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 2.4% during the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 21,634 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $11,392,000 after purchasing an additional 501 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $585.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn downgraded shares of Mastercard from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $606.11.

Mastercard Price Performance

NYSE:MA opened at $527.87 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $481.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.00, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $428.86 and a one year high of $582.23. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $545.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $523.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. Analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 9th. Mastercard’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.89%.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, December 17th that allows the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Company Profile

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.